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The Las Villenes Municipal Water District in Southern California declared a drought emergency last year.
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Since then, more than 2,000 residents have exceeded their district’s water budget by 150%, reports the LA Times.
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However, some celebrities in the area have exceeded their budget by more than 500%.
Comedian Kevin Hart, two of the Kardashian sisters, actor Sylvester Stallone and NBA player Dwyane Wade are among the biggest violations of local water restrictions in Southern California, where the state is experiencing its third year of drought. was one of the According to the Los Angeles Times.
Serving affluent cities in the San Fernando Valley, including Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, the Las Villenes Municipal Water District serves more than 2,000 customers with “overages.” Reported based on records obtained from the LA Times water utility who handed over the notice.
Starting Dec. 1, 2021, residents will receive this notification if they spend more than 150% of their water budget four or more times, Water District spokesman Mike McNutt told Insider.
But some celebrities accused of violating water restrictions have gone over budget by more than 500%.
The 26-acre Calabasas property listed under Hart went over budget by 519% or 117,000 gallons in June.
Two Hidden Hills properties associated with Kim Kardashian overshot budget by about 230,000 gallons, while Kourtney Kardashian’s 1.86-acre property near Calabasas went over budget by about 101,000 gallons.
A spokeswoman for the Kardashians did not immediately respond to an insider’s request for comment.
The Hidden Hills property, listed under Wade and his wife, actor Gabrielle Union, surpassed all customers in May with a record 489,000 gallons of water usage. In June, the facility used his 90,000 gallons and he exceeded his water budget by 1,400%.
In a statement to The LA Times, the couple said the usage was caused by a pool issue and is actively working to address the situation.
“We have done everything we can to rectify the situation, and we will continue to go to great lengths to resolve the issue,” the couple told the LA Times. In addition to converting to artificial turf and drought-tolerant plants to reduce volume, we replaced all parts of the pool system that had to do with water flow and leaks.We are working with the City and Water Distribution. I will continue. Please contact the company to confirm that this is not an issue going forward.”
The 2.26-acre property in Hidden Hills owned by Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin went over budget by 544% (230,000 gallons). That’s an increase of about 195,000 gallons from his May, the LA Times reported.
Stallone’s attorney, Marty Singer, told the Los Angeles Times that the figure “misleads and misrepresents the situation regarding water use on my client’s property.” He pointed out that the “500 mature trees” inside could die if not properly watered.
“My clients have dealt with the situation responsibly and proactively. We have notified and are awaiting an inspection and further instructions from the city on how to proceed,” the attorney wrote to the LA Times. I am confident, therefore, that my clients will not be unfairly featured because they are celebrities.”
Stallone’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Water budgets within the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District are tailored to each household. Factors considered are indoor and outdoor use and ‘special adjustments’ such as ‘medical needs’ and ‘horse care’. According to the district website.
Penalties not only include water surcharges, but also cover the installation of flow restrictors through a third penalty.
“What this restrictor does is fully irradiate the functioning of the irrigation system,” McNutt said, adding that 70% of water use comes from outdoor landscaping.
About 7.3% of the district’s customer base is on the list to receive the restrictor device, McNutt said. But due to lack of resources, the school district installs 20 devices per week, starting with the “worst water users.”
The Golden State is experiencing its third year of drought
Most of California is currently in at least a “severe drought,” indicating longer fire seasons, “stressed” trees and increased wildlife disease. According to the state government website.
It’s also not the first time celebrities have been arrested and called out for using water during times of drought.
Jennifer Lopez and Barbra Streisand were among some famous figures Faced with watering habits in the 2015 water outage.
Kylie Jenner also had to pay a $100 fine to the City of Las Villegenes Water Department for excessive water usage 2015.
McNutt said in an interview that the best way for property owners to reduce water use is to remove the lawn entirely and use alternatives to outdoor landscaping, such as laying grass, mulch, or crushed granite. I said that it is to
“The lawn is so thirsty, it needs so much water, it doesn’t work anymore,” he said. Yes, I have no choice.”
Read the original article at insider